APPLETON, Wis. — Christmas tree lots report that business is already brisk in Wisconsin this holiday season and owners attribute that in part to the coronavirus pandemic.

Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association spokesman Greg Hann says many families want a fresh tree because they won’t be traveling this year and will be home to care for it.

“I have had people come up to me and say we haven’t had a real tree in 20 years, we just need that fragrance, we need that good feeling of a live tree,” Hann said.

He says the growing season was strong, so there are enough trees to go around. Wisconsin has nearly 400 Christmas tree farms.

In Appleton, Uncle Paul’s Christmas Trees lot is seeing many more customers much earlier in the season.

“We were actually selling trees as we were setting up on Wednesday,” said employee Michelle Dotterer.

And Sue Schroeder with Schroeder’s Forevergreens says their Neenah lot has more visitors too.

“We’ve had multiple people at both locations tell us this is the first, quote on quote, normal thing that they’ve done in months is to go and pick out the family Christmas tree,” said Schroeder.

Schroeder says people are looking for outdoor activities in this pandemic climate.